“Don’t believe the things you tell yourself late at night…”
Over the past few weeks I have been going back and forth with myself over how I want to take Eleventh & Sixteenth. After having multiple instances with companies photoshopping my images and reposting them, to receiving negative criticism about how to dress my specific “shape.” I have been debating the idea of creating myself a niche in the realm of fashion blogging.
Should I dub myself a specific type of blogger to hopefully find people that relate to my “shape” and style of dress more? Granted I know I have curves and am not a size 2, but for the most part (besides some of my lady lumps, *Thanks BlackEyed-Peas*) I would consider myself a normal woman in society, and someone who a lot of people could relate to. I do tend to push the envelope at times, but that’s what I want to do. I want to challenge peoples ideals of what they think they could wear, into what they want and can wear. Blogging to me is about inspiring others and gaining inspiration from other bloggers in return. It’s an exchange of creativity and a mutual passion for clothing, styling, and all things fashion.
But by creating this niche, would I cut out all the other amazing women who share the same creativity? I don’t want anyone to think that because we are not shaped the same that they couldn’t wear a similar outfit. Sure majority of main stream fashion and blogging stars measure up to 110 lbs, and 5’7+… but what happened to seeing the beauty in the clothing? Seeing the amazing style of women of all shapes? I just can’t come to an answer about either limiting myself or waiting for the masses to accept the multitude of sizes women are as a whole.
Always struggling with having an hourglass shape in high school, I was surrounded by cookie cutter replicas of what I thought women really were expected to be. Granted, I live in Salt Lake City, which isn’t exactly known for their diversity, but non the less I grew up thinking something was wrong with me, my shape, and the way I looked. It wasn’t until college that I realized what I was blessed with was perfectly fine, and began to embrace it. After having a fashion blog for the last 2 and a half years I never once thought that maybe my shape could be holding me back… until now. Until large brands and companies started photoshopping my perfectly unedited photos, resulting in me asking myself ridiculous questions about physical self and my brand.
In a recent Instagram rant I stated, “I know I am not perfect but getting photoshopped or critiqued on how I should dress or appear to be, certainly gives you slight moments of doubt, regardless of how ridiculous they are. However, there are people out there that will understand what I do or be inspired by it. I am a real woman and I only want to be an inspiration, I don’t expect everyone to get that.”
Bottom line being: As a blogger, I am putting out my unique style in hopes that people can appreciate it for what it is. My goal is to inspire other women to try new things with their wardrobes and wear them confidently. If people do not understand what I am putting out based on my hourglass shape or any other physical attributes, someone out there will, and thats who I do it for. Never have I ever doubted blogging, it’s a true passion of mine that I have loved doing for years now. I just never realized that putting myself out there would have me questioning my hard work, or even myself.
Striped Skirt // Striped Crop Top // Boots // Jacket c/o AMIClubwear // Hat {sold out / Similar}
Photos: Haley Nord
Great post. Photoshopping your photos is so rude. I think you look perfect the way you are! We maybe don’t have the same shape and size but I follow you because I love your sense of style. It would be so boring if everyone looked the same!
Keep on the good work 🙂
♡ Kristina
TheKontemporary
Great post hon, We all need to find a way to feel comfortable in our own skin, and I think you look fabulous.
http://artadorned.com/
I honestly don’t know why they would Photoshop your photos .You are beautiful, and I think you look fabulous in clothes .
Girl you look perfect just the way you are.
xo
PinkSole
I still can’t believe company’s are out there photoshopping your images. It’s completely ridiculous, because you have incredible photos that showcase YOU and YOUR style.
Society is so stuck on certain ideals of “body image” and it’s a shame that even in this day of fashion blogging and diversity that this is even a subject of concern.
I say, keep doing what you’re doing, because you are fabulous, look amazing and inspire me (for what that’s worth)!
Jackie
Something About That
I can’t believe that is happening! That is crazy! You look so beautiful! Gosh, I hate the pressures put on us regarding weight. I’m 5’8″ and 130 lbs, and myself struggle with my self image all the time. Which, deep down, I know is absurd!
I think you look amazing! I do have a girlfriend that seems to have the same frame as you, as she has mentioned to me several times that she is looking for a blogger that is her size, instead of just super skinny and plus sized. So, perhaps there is a niche for the AVERAGE woman!
At any rate, you look amazing! Loving this crop top look!
xx Leah / http://www.eatpraywearlove.com
Seriously it’s crazy stuff. When I found this blog I thought wow this girl has great style and a great body! Do these fashion idiots not realize that many women out there are actually paying to have bigger butts and breasts? Clearly they’re not paying attention.
charming look! love your jacket and beanie here! so edgy and cool!
I love this post – thank you for being candid. I struggle to understand that you would have this kind of internal debate because to me you look just fine. Don’t let the inner voices or criticism get to you, you don’t know how many other women you have inspired through your blog. This look, in particular, is quite lovely. 🙂
xo,
Abby of Life in the Fash Lane
Don’t you dare stop doing what you are doing because of those companies! I specifically follow you because of your shape not in spite of it! I actually spent hours searching out bloggers I liked with your body type! It took me ages just to find a few who’s style I liked and who’s shape is closer to mine. It gives me better ideas on how certain things will look on me since my body type is more Khloe Kardashian than runway model skinny. And I wouldn’t want it any other shape.
I love your style and I follow a lot of fashion bloggers of all sizes. It sounds like their problem is your size and not your style which really makes me mad! There are many fashion people out there who think you need to be very slim in order to have a fashion blog/style. I’m furious that some people would want to put down the very few cool curvy fashion bloggers out there because of their idiotic notions of what fashion should look like!
One more thing, don’t read the “bad press”. Think of yourself as a celebrity and know that every single celeb out there has hatters and are constantly being picked apart in the most brutal way possible. I’ve seen the most “perfect” people being torn apart online so don’t take it personal. If you start reading that junk it will eat away at your self-esteem. And none of what is being said is true, it’s all someone’s personal judgement. Fashion like art is subjective!
What I’d like to see:
I’d like to see more lifestyle posts too and not just fashion if you want to branch out into that. I love seeing new places like shops, restaurants, food, special decor, etc. I follow The Londoner, and she’s very good at this. I always feel like she took me on a trip. Obviously she travels widely but even just stuff around town is nice to see.
You have thousands of followers for a reason. I’m not just being kind and nice, I’m dead serious, you’re very good at this and you’re very attractive.
You look fab in this look & you pull off grunge chic so well!
http://michellespaige.com